austenfiend

We really enjoyed this tour.  The countryside was beautiful and we were amazed at how they managed on those narrow, winding roads.

I realize that this is a matter of personal opinion, but if you were going to be in Dublin, Kilkenney, Belfast, Invergordon, Edinburgh and Glascow - which castle(s) would you not miss?  I think I might be able to get my family into two castles, max.

On 8/25/2019 at 6:49 PM, Coral said:

I don't drink soda but used it for mocktails last year. It worked out. I wouldn't buy the new package.

We got the package for my 23-year-old son, for smoothies and mocktails.  He never developed a taste for soda.

On 8/25/2019 at 6:51 PM, denmarks said:

 

 

Shirt/blouse - $3.50

Formal shirt/blouse - $4.25

T-shirts - $2.75

Slacks/pants - $4.50

Undershirts - $1.50

Underwear/panties - $1.25

Slips-$2.25

Bra - $1.75

Handkerchiefs - $1

Socks - $1.25

Nightgown/PJs - $3.75

Sheesh!  It's cheaper to just buy new underwear and socks!  Other cruise lines launder your clothes "whatever you can fit in this bag".  I guess I'll be stalking the laundry rooms.  Do you know if there are specific hours you can use the laundry room?  I would imagine so, so you don't bother people that are in the rooms surrounding.

We purchased an Unlimited Soda and more package for our cruise next month.  That doesn't even show up anymore.  Now it's listed as a Classic Soda Package and it costs more.  Any insights?

I'm confused by this whole thing.  We're on a 25 day cruise next month.  Shows multi-device $14.99/day.  Does that mean one person can sign up and the other people in the room can use their devices on that account (that would be $374.75)?  Because there is then the Medallion Net voyage package which is $129.99/person ($389.97 for the three of us).  We are not elite members or anything, have no OBC.

Once you do book, be sure to verify your choices with the airline.  We booked through EZAir, got seats assigned, got confirmation, etc. and come to find out we didn't have reservations for our flight to Dublin.  If I had gotten to the airport and found that out, I would not have been amused!

On 3/27/2019 at 4:36 AM, Bob++ said:

An alternative excursion might be to take the 30-minute ferry ride across the Gironde to Royan, which is a pleasant French seaside town.

Can you tell me how we would do this, and where the departure point is?  We are not wine drinkers, but want to do SOMETHING while in port.  I would be fine doing the "on your own" but it really is extortion!

I booked an independent tour when we were in Costa Rica a few years ago.  My husband is still giving me grief about it!  Just wasn't a good tour  Other than that, we've stuck with the ship excursions, but I've got to be honest, I've been somewhat disappointed with each excursion (especially for the price!).  We're cruising Europe/TA next month and I've booked all independent excursions, based on recommendations from seasoned travelers here on CC.  They have given me recommendations on what we should see in certain ports, as well as the best tour companies to book with.  My husband is a nervous wreck about this (what if we miss the boat?), but especially on this cruise, the ship excursions were WAY overpriced for what you got.  The ones that I find most amusing - "(insert city here) On Your Own" - that means at least $60 per person to take a bus to a town where they drop you off for the day, all because they ports they are going to aren't really near anything.  Better to take a taxi or use an outside company, I say.

On 7/23/2019 at 9:49 PM, navybankerteacher said:

Most Caribbean and Mexican ports - but then I am not likely to sail there any more except to just escape a couple weeks of northeast winter - when staying on board and having most of the ship to ourselves is attractive.

I completely agree with you!

14 hours ago, trvlwrld said:

ok-expect everything and be surprised by nothing...still mulling the seasick meds because they need to be taken BEFORE the waves get rough...unfortunately the side effects really want to make me try it without!

have you used Bonine?  Less side effects, from what I understand.

We normally travel in a balcony room; however, in your case, I'd go with the Central Park interior.  My reasoning?  Central Park Balcony is likely to be loud, because there's an "echo" effect in there, since it's not actually outside.  The kids won't want to be in the room long enough for any of you to really enjoy the ocean view.  IMHO, I think you could spend that money in a lot better ways.  Happy traveling.

We're traveling next month and have the following questions -

1) Is there only one power outlet in the room (by the desk perhaps)?  Is it 220 or 110?  I know there is one in the bathroom, but I'm wondering about plugging in all our electronics.

2) Can suitcases go under the bed?  I did the virtual tour of the balcony cabins and it looks like the closet is just an open area.  Once you hang up your clothes, there's not much room left.

3) Are there saunas?  I'm assuming you have to pay to use them.  How does that work?

Thank you, in advance, for any help you can provide.

We booked a tour through WOW Scotland - Lock Ness, Inverness and Outlander tour - sites: Invergordon and Cromarty Firth, Beauly, Inverness, Loch Ness, Highlands, Clava Cairns (Outlander), Culloden Battlefield, Highland Cows.  This tour came highly recommended by someone here on Cruise Critic.  We'll be there in September.

On 5/29/2019 at 9:04 AM, Pierlesscruisers said:

Why worry about patterns on carpets or colors which may be different on different ships? As you step off of the elevator just look to one side or the other on the wall beside the doorway into the hall where there is a ship's silhouette that clearly shows you which way is forward and which way is aft.  Easy to see from the middle of the elevator area too! That is the same on every one of the Princess ships. At least it is on every ship I've been on so far.

 

Tom

Good tip!  That's what we usually end up doing, it becomes a standing joke, we ALWAYS head the wrong way!  But we're on vacation, so no big deal.

On 5/25/2019 at 12:31 PM, dalesmouse said:

http://www.bikemyside.com/

 

We also did this tour ...it was the best tour we have ever done from a cruise

 

Is it bad for me to wish my husband wanted to stay on the ship so my son and I could do this tour?  There's got to be ONE odd man out!

I'm so glad you came to CC.  This is where you are going to get the best information.  My family and I are relatively new cruisers, having done only about 10.  The wealth of knowledge you will get here will astound you.  Everyone's advice so far has been on-point.  I would just add, remember you are on vacation.  Try to slow yourself down, be patient.  Sometimes the embarkation process isn't as seamless as you'd like, but take the time to people watch, or take pictures to post to make your friends jealous that you are going on a fabulous vacation.  One thing I like to do is explore the ship first thing (after eating, of course!) and try and figure out a place that might be less frequently traveled by others.  Sometimes you might want to be someplace a little quiet, but not in your room.  A place to sit and watch the ocean, daydream, read, whatever.  You can do as little or as much as you want while on board.  You are going to love Alaska - I was in awe of all the nature that we don't even think about - sea lions, eagles, etc.  We were in port on the 4th of July one year and they had a parade, exactly like you'd imagine a small town parade to be.  Oh, and be adventurous with the food on board, order something you would never order in a restaurant "in real life".  Have a wonderful trip and soak it all in, you only get one FIRST cruise.

5 hours ago, tartanexile81 said:

That's exactly what we did (except there were 4 of us!) and it worked really well. The driver gave us a great tour of the area around Honfleur then dropped us off right in the centre with plenty of time to wander round, have lunch etc. Loved it. 

Thank you for this information (and matamanoa as well!).  We'll just get a taxi when we get off the ship, now I can work on what we will be doing in other ports!

$99 for the Princess "excursion" to drop us off in Honfleur?!  My husband doesn't want to spend hours on any buses to take tours, so we'd like to just walk around Honfleur.  Can anyone give us insight as to how to go about this quickly/conveniently/cheaply?

I booked our flights through EZ Air.  How do I go about monitoring for price changes?  I've read about others finding that as time went along the air fares were cheaper.

Thank you for the information, everyone. I don't constantly want to be fighting with my son (because he will ALWAYS win!) over re-charging our devices.

If your a buffet only person I can see the disappointment with the deck 16 buffet. How many people only eat buffet?

 

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We always liked to eat at the buffet, especially when our son was younger. However, we are traveling with friends on Seaside on February 17th. They are European, so I guess we'll be doing the dining room.

When looking at the Seaside room videos, it appears there are just two outlets, plus the international ones. Are power strips allowed? There are three of us in one room, and with all the technology...you get the drift.

Sorry, I was talking about when we’re on land, we get free internet and text when we’re in port, so when we’re in Miami, Nassau, Cozumel, etc...

 

 

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When we are in ports, don't you incur international charges?

I drink iced tea or bottled water. My husband drinks bottled water and has diet soda with lunch and dinner, possibly coffee after dinner. My son drinks fruit juice, water, smoothies, lemonade, milk shakes, milk. I'm thinking we should just "pay as we go" (and does that mean it just gets charged to the room and settled later, as per other cruise lines?). Since gelato is a separate animal, I'll just expect a big bill for that at the end of the cruise, based upon how good everyone says it is!